Turkish opposition party reelects chairman following arrest of Istanbul mayor

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey’s main opposition party reelected its chairman Sunday, two weeks after the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul, the party’s highest profile rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ozgur Ozel was reelected at an extraordinary congress of the Republican People’s Party, or CHP, which he called to prevent what he said was a plot by the government to appoint a caretaker for the party.

The arrest of Istanbul’s opposition Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges has ignited large-scale anti-government protests. Imamoglu had emerged as the main challenger to Erdogan’s 22-year rule since he was elected mayor of Istanbul in 2019, overturning a quarter-century of rule by parties from Turkey’s conservative Islamist tradition.

The opposition claims the charges against Imamoglu are politically motivated, but the government insists the judiciary is independent and free of political interference.

While in prison, Imamoglu was confirmed as the CHP’s presidential candidate for the election scheduled for 2028, but which will likely to take place earlier.

Ozel said he decided to call Sunday's party congress on March 21, two days after Imamoglu's arrest and hours before the alleged government caretaker was to be appointed for CHP.

“They didn’t have the courage to compete with us in service, so instead they attempted to intimidate our municipalities and the opposition by using the might of the government against their rivals," Ozel told the assembly. "They thought they could remain in power by polarizing the public and provoking new conflicts.”

Former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and a delegation from the European Parliament's Party of European Socialists visited the CHP headquarters Saturday to offer their support and solidarity with “all people fighting for democracy and the rule of law in Turkey.” Turkish media reported that Papandreou attended Sunday's congress.

Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, suffered a major setback during municipal elections last year, when the CHP retained control over key cities like Istanbul and Ankara while also making huge gains elsewhere.

In the months since that election, many opposition mayors of both the CHP and the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party, or DEM, have been replaced by government-appointed caretakers on terrorism charges, which the parties strongly dispute.

Stickers with Republican People's Party or (CHP) party members names are placed on chairs prior to a CHP convention, in Ankara, Sunday, April 6, 2025. Sticker in the center reads in Turkish: "Ekrem Imamoglu. Presidential candidate". (AP Photo/Ali Unal)

Republican People's Party or (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel gestures to party members during his speech during a CHP convention, in Ankara, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Unal)

Republican People's Party or (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel, center, greets party members as he arrives to a CHP convention, in Ankara, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Unal)

Republican People's Party or (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel delivers a speech, during a CHP convention, in Ankara, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Unal)

Republican People's Party or (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel delivers a speech during a CHP convention, in Ankara, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Unal)

Andre Onana was left out of Manchester United's squad for Sunday's Premier League game against Newcastle following the goalkeeper's latest high-profile errors for the club.

The Cameroon international was partially at fault for both goals in United's 2-2 draw with Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday and was not even a substitute for the game at St. James’ Park, with back-up keeper Altay Bayindir named in the starting lineup and third-choice Tom Heaton on the bench.

“Sometimes, you have to push the player to play again, sometimes you have to let him disconnect a little bit,” United head coach Ruben Amorim said. “You have to manage everything, sometimes people just look at the physical aspect but the mental aspect is really, really important.

“It’s for just one game and we give Altay an opportunity, he deserves it also and then, again, tomorrow is a new life and we will prepare for the next one.”

Onana was a serial title winner with Ajax and joined United from Inter Milan for $57 million in 2023, but has endured an error-strewn time since that move.

Last year he admitted he had to protect his mental health after a series of costly mistakes.

His mistakes against Lyon came after former United player Nemanja Matic described him as “one of the worst goalkeepers” in the club’s history.

James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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Lyon's Rayan Cherki, back to the camera, scores his side's second goal past Manchester United's goalkeeper Andre Onana during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Manchester United's goalkeeper Andre Onana, centre, reacts during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Lyon's Rayan Cherki, centre back to the camera, scores his side's second goal past Manchester United's goalkeeper Andre Onana during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Manchester United's goalkeeper Andre Onana reacts during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)